Chapter 145. The King’s Summons

Ellen slowly ate her dinner while mulling over what Jasmine had told her a few hours ago.

That silver-haired mage, Silver, was said to be acquainted with her mother. So if he had business with her, it might be related to her mother…

‘…Come to think of it, I never got to meet the people from the Raman family.’

Well… is there really a need to meet them? They’re just blood relations, not even family.

‘Still, I would have liked to meet them at least once to ask.’

Why they abandoned Mother, if they weren’t curious about my recent situation.

And I wanted to tell them this for sure.

That mother would never forgive them.

Whether they would feel guilty about Mother’s death… I’m not sure.

‘…Actually, I don’t care about the Raman family anymore.’

Worry about Enoch consumed her mind to the point where she couldn’t think about anything else.

Where is he now and what is he doing? Surely he hasn’t really gotten involved in something dangerous.

To save me… I hope he’s not overexerting himself.

Ellen sighed deeply and suddenly looked down at her left ankle. The silver shackle, barely visible under the hem of her dress, gleamed faintly in the shadows.

She tried to remove it when alone, but it was useless. Since it was a magical tool engraved with Enoch’s blood, only he could remove it. …He seemed to sincerely intend to keep this shackle on her ankle.

Moreover, in this mansion… Ellen couldn’t take a single step outside the bedroom. It was truly imprisonment. And Enoch seemed to intend to keep her living like this until he found a way to save her.

‘…I don’t think he’ll be able to find one.’

To be honest, Ellen was pessimistic. There’s no way a magic that could extend life exists in this world.

Enoch would probably try to contact the Mage’s Tower, but the chances of the tower, which tries not to interfere much in worldly affairs, helping were slim.

‘If not the tower… in the worst case, to Atreos…’

That’s really nonsense.

Wasn’t he the one who hated Atreos so much? She couldn’t bear to see him break his beliefs and fall apart like that.

‘Please, Enoch…’

Ellen prayed earnestly in her heart, begging him not to lose himself in trying to save her.

* * *

“There’s such magic?”

“Yes. To be precise… it’s not about creating lifespan out of nothing, but rather stealing it from others.”

The first person Enoch visited was Ruberin, the royal mage of Asir.

This elderly mage, old enough to be Enoch’s grandfather, was flustered by the sudden visit of the Grand Duke of Bayern, but diligently answered Enoch’s questions.

“But that magic now only appears in legends, ancient magic. There are no successors, and no magical tools left behind. The essence of that magic is handling time… Such an incredibly powerful and dangerous magic wouldn’t have been easily passed down.”

“……”

“However, the Mage’s Tower might be able to provide you with more information than I can. They’re such a secretive organization with many hidden things.”

“…Master Ruberin, have you ever seen the master of the tower during your time there?”

“No, unfortunately, I’ve never seen them even once. The tower master only reveals themselves to their closest confidants. Who they are, whether they’re male or female, what they look like and their name… everything is shrouded in mystery. Even whether they’re human or not.”

“If they’re not human, then what?”

When Enoch retorted with a scoff, Ruberin shrugged ambiguously and replied.

“Well, they could be a legendary dragon. Or perhaps they are Prometheus himself.”

“There’s no such thing as dragons in this world. Gods even less so.”

“That’s something we can’t be sure of. The world is still full of mysteries that human wisdom can’t unravel.”

Enoch snorted and rose from his seat. Ruberin stood up as well and kindly asked,

“Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

Enoch glanced at him, shook his head, and approached the door. Though he hadn’t obtained entirely satisfactory information, he had found a clue, so it was a somewhat productive conversation.

How could he draw out the master of the Mage’s Tower and make them reveal themselves?

All sorts of crazy ideas flashed through Enoch’s mind.

Is there no choice but to invade Rosretzia Island?

‘…Or perhaps using Atreos might be an option… No, there’s not nearly enough time for that.’

At the peak of his anxiety, he was completely out of his mind and felt like he could do anything. To save Ellen.

‘I need more clues about time magic. Should I try baiting them in that direction? To lure the Mage’s Tower into taking the bait…’

He emerged from his rushing thoughts just as he arrived at the villa where he had left Ellen. Somehow, the atmosphere at the villa was unsettling. Enoch leaped off his horse and approached his aide, who was waiting for him with a pale face, frowning.

The aide bowed deeply to him and hurriedly delivered the message.

“Your Grace, an urgent telegram has arrived from His Majesty the King.”

“From Henry? What’s the matter?”

“Well…”

The aide, glancing nervously at Enoch, continued with evident bewilderment.

“It’s an order to return to Freuden immediately with Her Highness and enter the palace. …It seems the Mage’s Tower is looking for Her Highness.”

* * *

Someone had reported Ellen.

The identity of the informant wasn’t written in Henry’s letter. He only said he would tell them in person.

Upon learning that she had been reported, Ellen was greatly shocked, but with a hint of suspicion, she wondered about the recent situation of the maid named Laila.

When asked why, she hesitantly confessed that the maid knew her secret. Enoch was astounded that Ellen had shared such a crucial secret with a mere maid, but he couldn’t bring himself to get angry.

They received news about the maid Laila just as they arrived at the station to board the train to Freuden.

Surprisingly, the maid had been found collapsed near the Grand Duchy and was now receiving medical treatment. According to the doctor’s opinion, she seemed to have been drugged with something that caused mental confusion.

“Someone must have harmed Laila to extract my secret. Probably… the person who reported me, or someone connected to them.”

“The maid could have reported you herself, you know.”

“Laila isn’t that kind of person.”

Seeing her snap back defensively, it seemed she trusted that maid considerably. Well, she even told her the escape route. …Feeling somewhat irritated, Enoch smiled coldly.

“I’ll have the people who kidnapped and drugged the maid investigated. As you suspect, it’s likely the work of the informant, but they won’t easily admit it.”

“Yes, please do. To do such a thing to Laila… I can never forgive them.”

“…Is that maid so precious to you?”

“Well…”

Ellen was about to answer ‘Of course,’ but seeing Enoch’s ominous gaze, she closed her mouth. Could he be jealous even of this? After hesitating, Ellen changed the subject.

“More importantly, you said you had business with the Mage’s Tower. What is it?”

“Saving you.”

“……?”

As Ellen tilted her head with wide eyes, Enoch gently cupped her cheek. His golden eyes, gazing intently at her, grew unfathomably deep.

…Do you know? How anxious, impatient, and on the verge of madness I feel.

He sighed deeply and suddenly pulled her into an embrace. Though it was a busy train station with many people passing by, he didn’t care about the surrounding gazes. Enoch lowered his head, burying his face in Ellen’s shoulder, and spoke.

“I’ll do anything, even crazy things, to save you.”

“……”

“If I can’t save you…”

“……”

“I’ll follow you in death.”

Ellen trembled slightly in his arms. Enoch held her even tighter. Caught in a strange longing that even he couldn’t understand — that if he couldn’t save her, he’d rather become one with her like this and die at the same moment.

…You’ve truly become someone irreplaceable to me.

I wondered what you were to me.

Now I think I know. What you are to me.

* * *

They arrived in Schleswig late in the evening when darkness had fallen.

Although it wasn’t appropriate to have an audience with the king at this hour, Enoch headed straight to the palace without a moment’s delay.

By principle, the mages from the tower should have immediately summoned and taken Ellen away. However, considering Ellen’s status as the Grand Duchess, they had first reported to the king, resulting in the current situation.

“So, where are the people from the Mage’s Tower?”

Enoch asked abruptly as soon as he met Henry. Henry glanced at Enoch with a slightly pale expression and then shifted his gaze slightly towards Ellen. His eyes looking at her had changed strangely.

“I’d like to hear your explanation first. Is it true that the Grand Duchess is an unauthorized mage?”

“……”

“Yes, it’s true.”

Enoch answered without hesitation on behalf of Ellen, who hung her head low. Henry closed his eyes and swallowed. Though he was trying to remain calm, his voice couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“This is a scandal that has never occurred in the history of Freuden.”

“Well, now it has.”

“Why did you hide it? Of all people, the Grand Duke of Bayern hiding an unauthorized mage, even the Mage’s Tower is quite perplexed.”

“…There were circumstances.”

Enoch told Henry everything about Ellen’s foresight magic and the achievements she had accomplished using her magic.

Henry, who initially looked troubled, gradually changed his expression as he listened to Enoch’s story, and eventually nodded in understanding.

“…I see. So Freuden has been benefiting from you all this time, Grand Duchess.”

“No, I just did what needed to be done.”

“Such modesty. If it weren’t for the Grand Duchess, Erinter might have fallen into Atreos’s hands. That would have been the worst of the worst. So, as the King of Freuden, I express my gratitude to the Grand Duchess. Thank you for your efforts for the peace of this country and its allies.”

“…I am the one who should be grateful.”

Ellen blinked, lowering her head with an awkward expression. Enoch, feeling this was enough, abruptly interjected to ask what he was most curious about.

“So, who’s the informant?”

“Well…”

Henry’s complexion darkened as he hesitated to answer.